Men’s Ice Hockey Suffers Setback in Final Home Game of Regular Season

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 18, 2022) – The Western New England men's ice hockey team dropped their 8^th straight game on Friday night from the Olympia Ice Center, falling to the Bison of Nichols College 4-1. 

Records:

• Western New England: 4-18-2 (2-17-1 CCC)
• Nichols College: 7-14-1 (6-14-0 CCC)

How it Happened:

Western New England got off to a good start on Friday night, seeing the first goal of the game go their way. Jordie Morgan found Peter White streaking up the middle of the ice. White would take a shot on Nichols goaltender Korbinian Lutz, who made the save though left a rebound chance for James Belleavoine who cashed in for this first career goal with the Golden Bears to give Western New England the 1-0 lead. The lead for WNE would be short lived after a powerplay goal came from Hunter Fraser to even the score at one. The score would stay 1-1 after the first period of play as Nichols came through with 12 shots while WNE came away with eight shots. 

No goals were scored in the second period, though goaltender Colten Lancaster came away with 18 saves on 18 shots on goal by the Bison in the period. Lutz came away with eight saves on Western New England's eight shots on goal in the period. Both teams would remain deadlocked heading into the final 20 minutes of play.

A penalty just seven seconds into the period by the Golden Bears would cost Western New England as Nichols would find the back of the net to give themselves a 2-1 lead. Seven minutes later, Owen Gonter would tally for the Bison to give Nichols a 3-1 lead. A total of 57 penalty minutes came around in the third period with Western New England being credited with seven of the 12 penalties in the period. An empty net goal from Nichols would ice the game, dropping the Golden Bears 4-1 on their final home game of the regular season. 

Inside the Crease:

• Colten Lancaster came through with 38 saves on 41 shots on goal. Korbinian Lutz made 27 saves on 28 shots on goal by WNE. 
• Three of the four Nichols College goals came on the powerplay on the night. WNE's lone goal also came on the powerplay. 
• Nichols finished 3-8 on the powerplay while WNE was 1-6. 
• Out of 75 faceoffs on the night, WNE won 38 while Nichols won 37. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will travel to Curry College for their final regular season game of the season. Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm. 
• Nichols hosts UNE at 5:40 pm tomorrow night.